13

H.—39

We hope that the stud-book and herd-book will be established at once, as it will facilitate matters very much at this end of the line. The regulation (formerly issued) requiring a certificate of purity of breed from the breeder of the animals has been abolished by the Secretary of the Treasury, and such certificate will no longer be required. Yours, &c, J. D. Speeckles and Beothers, General Agents, Oceanic Steamship Company. Thomas Henderson, junior, Esq., Auckland, New Zealand.

Eegulations eefeered to above. Animals for Breeding Purposes. The United States Tariff Act, of the Ist October, 1890, makes a radical change in the former law in regard to the entry free of duty of animals specially imported for breeding purposes, and, in order that the law may be uniformly and properly complied with, the following information is given for the benefit of all concerned. The law reads : " Any animal imported specially for breeding purposes shall be admitted free, provided that no such animal shall be admitted free unless pure bred of a recognised breed, and duly registered in the book of record established for that breed; and provided further that certificate of such record, and if the pedigree of such animal shall be produced and submitted to tha Customs officer, duly authenticated by the proper custodian of such book of record. The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe such additional regulations as may be required for the strict enforcement of this provision." Therefore in all cases of importation and entry of animals claimed to be exempt from duty under the present tariff laws the importer must produce to the Collector of Customs at the time of entry, in addition to the requisite invoice duly authenticated by the United States Consular officer, a certificate from the keeper of record certifying that such record is kept and showing a proper pedigree of the animals, which, in the case of horses, should refer to the English or American studbook, and in the case of cattle to the different herd-books, such as Shorthorn, Herefordshire, Devon, Ayrshire, &c, as the case may be. If there be no stud-book kept for draft-horses such as Clydesdales, Percheron, Suffolk Punches, &c, or if there be no herd-book for Herefords, Shorthorns, or other recognised thoroughbred cattle,, such books of record ought immediately to be established, and a custodian or keeper of such book of record showing pedigrees, &c, should at once be appointed and authorised to issue certificates under seal from such stud-book or herd-book. A strict compliance by shippers with the above regulations will save delay, trouble, and expense to the importer when the animals arrive.

EEPLIES TO ABOVE CIECULAE. Deae Sib, — Wellington Agricultural and Pastoral Association, 12th June, 1891. I have the honour, by direction of the committee of the above association, to answer yours of the 26th ultimo. The committee consider the stud- and herd-books of New Zealand sufficient, as they are recognised by all breeders, agricultural and pastoral associations, and racing-clubs. They also wish it to be noticed that no stud-books are under Government control or jurisdiction in England or Australia. They suggest that this intimation be sent to the American Government. My committee also wish it to be known that Dr. Eoss never applied for two certificates, if he had done so he could have received them. I have, &c. John D. Eitchie, Esq., W. H. Day, Secretary. Chief Inspector of Stock, Wellington.

Dear Sic, — Palmers ton North, 15th June, 1891. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your circular of the 26th May, re the importation of stock into the United States. The same was laid before my committee on Saturday last, and I was instructed to draw your attention to the fact that a stud-book, a shorthorn herd-book, and a herdbook for breeds other than shorthorn are already in existence in this colony, and this society considers these stud-books should be official, and they also consider this an excellent time to establish a flock-book for Eomney Marsh and Lincoln sheep. Yours, &c, J. D. Ritchie, Esq., C. C. Miles, Secretary. Chief Insbector of Stock, Wellington.

Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Bra,— Ghristchurch, 6th July, 1891. I have the honour, by direction of this association, to acknowledge receipt of a circular forwarded by the Live-stock Department, Wellington, drawing attention to a communication received (a copy of which has been received from the Oceanic Steamship Company, San Francisco) touching the regulations affecting the importation of live-stock from Nev/ Zealand and the Australian Colonies with the United States of America. You are aware that animals specially imported for breeding purposes are admitted duty free, but their pedigrees must be undoubted. 3—H. 39.